Suzanne Stone wants to be a world-famous news anchor and she is willing to do anything to get what she wants. What she lacks in intelligence, she makes up for in cold determination and diabolical wiles. As she pursues her goal with relentless focus, she is forced to destroy anything and anyone that may stand in her way, regardless of the ultimate cost or means necessary.
Acting
Kidman's most unhinged performance — terrifyingly committed.
Direction
Van Sant balances camp and genuine menace perfectly.
Writing
Buck Henry's script is cruel, quotable, and prescient.
Director
Gus Van Sant
Nicole Kidman
Suzanne Stone
Matt Dillon
Larry Maretto
Joaquin Phoenix
Jimmy Emmett
Casey Affleck
Russel Hines
Illeana Douglas
Janice Maretto
Alison Folland
Lydia Mertz
Dan Hedaya
Joe Maretto
Wayne Knight
Ed Grant
Kurtwood Smith
Earl Stone
Holland Taylor
Carol Stone
Susan Traylor
Faye Stone
Tim Hopper
Mike Warden
Michael Rispoli
Ben DeLuca
Buck Henry
Mr. H. Finlaysson
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on the Pamela Smart case, a real 1990 scandal where a teacher seduced a student to murder her husband. Buck Henry changed almost nothing.
This predicted reality TV, influencer culture, and true crime obsession decades early. Suzanne Stone is every TikTok star's ghost of Christmas future.
US
